Conical vena cava filter with jugular or femoral retrieval

Abstract

A removable intravascular filter having a filtering configuration for capturing thrombi in a blood vessel and a retrieval configuration for removal from the blood vessel. The filter may be implanted in a patient's vena cava and may be removed from the vena cava through the patient's jugular or femoral vein. A method of removing an intravascular filter from a patient's vena cava through the patient's femoral vein is also provided.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The present invention relates to medical devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a removable intravascular filter that can be removed from the vena cava of a patient through the patient's jugular or femoral vein.[0002]Filtering devices that are percutaneously placed in the vena cava have been available for a number of years. A need for such filtering devices arises in trauma patients, orthopedic surgery patients, neurosurgery patients, or in patients having medical conditions requiring bed rest or non-movement. Patients having such medical conditions face an increased risk of thrombosis in the peripheral vasculature, wherein thrombi break away from the vessel wall, risking downstream embolism or embolization. For example, depending on the size, such thrombi pose a serious risk of pulmonary embolism wherein blood clots migrate from the peripheral vasculature through the heart and into the lungs.[0003]Historically, vena cava filters were considered to be p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a removable intravascular filter that can be implanted in a patient's vena cava and removed through the patient's femoral or jugular vein. The filter has struts that capture thrombi in the blood vessel when in the filtering configuration and can be easily removed when in the retrieval configuration. A method for using the retrieval assembly to remove the filter from the patient's vena cava is also provided. The invention has technical effects in providing a safe and effective means for removing the intravascular filter without causing complications to the patient.

Problems solved by technology

Patients having such medical conditions face an increased risk of thrombosis in the peripheral vasculature, wherein thrombi break away from the vessel wall, risking downstream embolism or embolization.

For example, depending on the size, such thrombi pose a serious risk of pulmonary embolism wherein blood clots migrate from the peripheral vasculature through the heart and into the lungs.

It has been a challenge to design a vena cava filter suitable for removal through a patient's femoral vein.

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